Sage Datko  |  September 13, 2022

Category: Human Trafficking

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Hotel lobby with blurred image of two front desk workers in the background - prosecuted for sex trafficking

Sex trafficking has long been an issue in the United States and around the world.

Vulnerable people are forced or coerced into prostitution and sexual slavery every day, and more than just the traffickers themselves may be liable.

Certain businesses, such as hotels, truck stops, and others, may be used to facilitate trafficking efforts.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline notes that hotels and motels are some of the most common venues for sex trafficking. So can businesses such as hotels be prosecuted for sex trafficking?

People and entities that profit financially from sex trafficking or forced labor can be held liable in the human trafficking process. For instance, a hotel renting out rooms to people forcing human trafficking victims into sexual slavery profits financially from that exploitation.

Of course, management and staff members can’t be expected to know everything that goes on their hotels, but if obvious signs of trafficking are ignored, those employees or the company may be held liable and prosecuted for sex trafficking by the U.S. government and by survivors of trafficking.

Recently, a number of lawsuits have been filed against major hotel chains for allegedly ignoring human traffickers using their hotels to perpetrate their crimes. So far, about 1,500 sex trafficking victims have retained lawyers, though estimates suggest as many as 7,000 may seek litigation.

Fighting sex trafficking is a priority.Attorneys have asked a federal panel to consolidate 21 of these lawsuits in 11 states into one single case in federal court in Ohio, according to USA Today. The filing notes that these lawsuits have the same allegations at their core.

“Human traffickers have capitalized on the hospitality industry’s refusal to adopt and implement industry-wide standards and anti-trafficking policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, training hotel staff on how to identify obvious and well-known signs of sex trafficking,” the court filing seeking to consolidate the cases reads, according to USA Today.

One woman who filed a lawsuit alleges that when she was trafficked and was forced into sexual slavery in hotel rooms, hotel employees ignored obvious signs of trafficking, USA Today reports.

“Despite her desperate pleas and screams for help, after being beaten or choked at the Defendants’ hotel properties, the hotel staff ignored her and did nothing to prevent the ongoing and obvious torture she endured while she was regularly trafficked for sex at Defendants’ hotel properties,” said the lawsuit, filed March 2019.

Hotel companies named in these lawsuits include Choice Hotels International Inc., Inter-Continental Hotel Corps., and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Some hotels are doing more than others to combat human trafficking.

For instance, Marriott International has implemented mandatory human trafficking awareness training for its hotel workers, with training specifically designed around each employee’s role, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This training may teach hotel staff how to recognize and respond to potential signs of human trafficking.

Signs of sex trafficking and exploitation

The signs of trafficking or exploitation may include the same person renting multiple rooms, rooms rented by the hour, rooms rented for extended stays while the person booking the room has few personal items, and parking their car backward so the license plate is not visible, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Other signs may include the presence of multiple cell phones, computers, pagers, or credit card–swipers and individuals asking staff or patrons for food or money.

People who seem to have poor hygiene or unclean or inappropriate clothing, or are showing signs of injuries, illness, tiredness, or unusual behavior may be potential sex trafficking victims, as may people who do not seem to have access to their own identification or money.

Additional signs may include requesting towels or linens from housekeeping but refusing to allow housekeeping or staff to enter the room, or an unusual amount of condoms, lotion, or lubricant in the room, according to DHS.

One mistake that people might make is assuming that sex trafficking victims have to fit a certain profile. However, this is not true — the sex trafficking industry targets many different people from different backgrounds. Most victims are in some way vulnerable: children from foster care or group homes, for instance, or from communities that have historically experienced oppression. Adult women immigrants who don’t speak English are often targets, along with people with a history of trauma and abuse, among many others.

By training staff members to recognize these potential signs of human trafficking, as well as instructing them on how to act and when to contact law enforcement, future victims of human trafficking at hotels may be better protected, and their abusers may be more likely to be caught and prosecuted for sex trafficking, according to TraffickingMatters.com.

If you are a survivor of sex trafficking and were forced to work at a hotel or motel, or another venue like a nightclub or truck stop, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit and pursue compensation to try to make sure the venue is prosecuted for sex trafficking.

Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by human trafficking, but it can at least offer some kind of compensation, as well as hold those responsible accountable.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions can connect you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

If you were a victim of sex trafficking and forced to work at a truck stop, hotel or motel, night club or other hotel venue, you may be eligible to move forward with a civil investigation against these businesses. This investigation involves a civil case, and is not a criminal case against you or your loved ones.

Top Class Actions is working with experienced human trafficking attorneys who will be informed and sensitive to your situation. Join the fight by filling out the short form on this page. 

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